Aroostook Aspirations Initiative Celebrates a Year of Firsts

It has been a little over a year since Aroostook Aspirations Initiative (AAI), a first-of-its-kind, County-wide project was announced. Aroostook Aspirations has two missions: to provide significant opportunities for young people in the region to pursue their dreams and support higher education institutions and bolster economic development efforts in northern Maine.

The Initiative will celebrate its birthday in style. An Aroostook Aspirations Day is planned for June 7, 2014 at the Aroostook Centre Mall from 10AM – 3PM. County Commissioners and the State Legislature proclaimed the day, and Senators King and Collins read it into the Congressional Record for the nation. Organizations will join AAI at the mall to celebrate the day, the County, and the people who make it so special. Several exciting events are planned. There will be lots of entertainment, and the 2014 Gauvin Scholars will be officially announced. In addition, the organization will unveil a wall promoting education and the work of the program. “It will be a day to remember for sure,” states April Flagg, executive director for Aroostook Aspirations. “We anticipate large numbers of people. There will be a ton of booths, lots of interaction for our kids, and of course, a surprise or two!”

Co-founders Sandy and Ray Gauvin and Jason Parent publically launched the Initiative on Friday, April 12, 2013 at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle. The Gauvins were joined for the announcement by then Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen, members of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative Board of Directors, and more than 50 community, business, and education leaders from throughout the region.

“What is particularly exciting about this venture is the collaboration with the business community. To see the impetus for this project reside in the private sector and extend to the public secondary schools and the colleges and universities here in Aroostook County is an example of what we need to see more of in our state,” said Commissioner Bowen. “It is also very impressive to hear the vision of the founders of this initiative is one which is equally designed to serve as an engine for economic growth and development. The concept of paying it forward that Ray, Sandy, and all of you who have come together to launch this initiative have embraced will make a difference and help grow northern Maine’s economy.” Bowen’s message was echoed by County business and education leaders gathered for the announcement.

Over the last year, the initiative has expanded significantly. A dynamic new executive director, April Flagg, was hired, and just recently the initiative opened its first physical location, 754 Main Street in Presque Isle. The board of directors grew from twelve to twenty-four members, and the group of strategic partners continues to grow. The Honorary Board of Directors expanded from four to eleven members, and the number of media partners now stands at six, covering all of Aroostook County and most of the state. A scholarship committee worked over the winter to create a fluid, fair system for the selection of Gauvin Scholars each year. The first 16 scholarships will be awarded this spring and are renewable for the second year through the generosity of the four colleges in The County.

In July, a SHANTE (Skills, Habits, Assets, Networking, Teamwork, and Education) weekend will be held at the Northern Maine Community College to help the Gauvin Scholars face the initial challenges, both academic and emotional, of their first college year. In September, Night with the Stars will be held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle to celebrate the 2014 Gauvin Scholars, recognize the mentors of the year and to present the innovation awards. Senator Susan Collins has agreed to be the keynote speaker of the event. October will see a first-of-its-kind county-wide community service project involving students from seven of the Aroostook County school districts. The seven districts will pilot the program, allowing it to expand to all sixteen districts in 2015. The Serve-a-thon, Heidi’s Hope, is the major fundraising event for the scholarship endowment - the goal is $5 million in 10 years in order to serve more students for more years. The depth of the project will increase in 2015 when all of the school districts in Aroostook will participate.

In addition to program expansions and initiatives, the Gauvins, Flagg, and Parent have participated in speaking engagements throughout The County, including the Education to Industry Summit, which was sponsored by Aroostook Partnership for Progress, to the school superintendents and guidance counselors throughout Northern Maine, as well as the directors of the Upward Bound Program. Flagg is currently appearing on WAGM on Monday mornings to talk about issues facing education in Aroostook County today and the ways Aroostook groups are making a difference for the children of this County.

Recently, State Farm named Aroostook Aspirations as one of the top 200 nonprofits in North America. A huge achievement for an organization just celebrating the first year of operation. To top off the selection, Aroostook Aspirations was the only organization selected in Maine.

The Aroostook Aspirations Web site has continued to be very active. With over 4,000 visitors a month, the site continues to include valuable information and a convenient, simple “Contact Us” page. The initiative also has a very active social media presence and Flagg has launched a new feature on the Facebook page, entitled EDU 101 (Executive Director Update). This feature is a weekly post that highlights different communities in Aroostook County and explores the many different towns and cities of Aroostook. The most recent recognition for the program, the State Farm’s Neighbor Assist competitive grant program, is fully based on Facebook. “It has certainly presented a challenge for us,” Flagg says of the contest. “We’ve really had to work hard, get the word out, and develop campaigns for reminding people to vote. We are counting on the people of Maine, we know first hand how powerful Maine people, Aroostook people can be.”

According to Sandy Gauvin, “We have worked diligently to create a process, a timeline, and a strong foundation for our scholarships.  After that gate has opened and our scholars are in place, the year will be filled with all of our first-year events to help support our Gauvin Scholars attain their dream of a college education. We continue to make great strides in our initiative to help both the students and the economy of Aroostook County.”

For more information, visit the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative website at www.gauvinfund.org e-mail info@gauvinfund.org, call (207) 760-0558, or send a letter at Aroostook Aspirations Initiative, 26 North Street, Box 138, Presque Isle, ME 04769.